Write a Letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Expressing Your Views on the Disqualification of Party Candidates Exempted from Fighting Elections. Express Your Views on the Moral Code of the Candidates. How

To,

The Chief Election Commissioner,

Election Commission of India

Sub: Disqualification of a Party Candidate

A Member makes an oath/affirmation at the time of entering the House: "I will faithfully discharge the duty cast upon which I am about to enter."

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Report

The Election Commission’s views have been forcefully reiterated by the Asian Human Rights Commission. In its report published in April 2007, the AHRC noted that “Criminalization of politics in India is a growing problem, despite legal attempts to address it…

Components of criminalization Muscle power

The influence of muscle power in Indian politics was being decried even in the first general election of 1952. Allegations relating to the role played by outlaws in furthering the electoral prospects of certain candidates were heard even then; only the intensity and the frequency of such allegations have registered a quantum jump in recent times. In fact, we have today reached a stage where criminalization of politics is widely accepted as inevitable. Persons known to have a criminal past are not only getting party tickets, but on account of their clout, are also being appointed as ministers at the Union and State levels. Leaders of political parties stoutly defend any criticism of such choices.

To add insult to injury, in the event of conviction and resulting disqualification, with the blessings of their party establishments, such elements are encouraged to pass on their mantle to their wives and progeny. It is a happy augury that many such proxy candidates were defeated in the recent Lok Sabha polls. But the fact remains that despite the best efforts of the Election Commission; the use of muscle power is a harsh reality and significantly influences the voting behaviour and the electoral outcome in many constituencies.

Resignation an

Escape Route

?

One thing lost sight of in the whole melodrama is the rationale and purpose of resignation. Is...